Oman by UTMB - Oman

150km Jebel Shams (JBS)

The JBS challenge is an epic and technical adventure that’s only recommended for extremely experienced ultra trailers. With an entry requirement of 4 ITRA ranking points, the 150km JBS challenge offers the ultimate journey to competitors. In return, 6 ITRA points will be awarded to finishers.

Athletes must be confident in their ability to cover very challenging terrain whilst being completely self-sufficient for a minimum of 10 hours, due to the significant distances between the Aid Stations on the Jebel Shams section of the route. Runners taking on this ultimate challenge will follow the route up the iconic Jebel Al Akhdar, before crossing the plateau and climbing to the summit of Jebel Hatt, the second of the three peaks runners will need to conquer to complete the JBS challenge. The final climb will take participants on a breath-taking trail to the highest peak on the Arabian peninsula, Jebel Shams. From a summit of 3,000m, JBS participants will descend Jebel Shams to the finish line at Al Hamra, via Misfat Al Abriyyin.

100km Jebel Akhdar (JBA)

Oman by UTMB® has proven a big international hit ever since its inaugural edition. This year’s event offers runners the chance to take on the heights of the Green Mountain, Jebel Al Akhdar, on an epic course that is set deep within Oman’s rugged, untouched landscapes. Welcoming entries from competitors with 3 ITRA ranking points, the 100km JBA will award athletes 5 for reaching the route’s finish line.

50km Al Hamra (AHM)

The 2020 edition of Oman by UTMB® sees the return of the popular 50km challenge, which last year welcomed 487 runners to the competition. Requiring no ITRA points to enter (and awarding its finishers with 3!) this race category is perfect for those competitors who are newer to the sport of trail running and want to test longer distances, whilst allowing them to experience all the thrills of the original UTMB® adventure.

Starting and finishing in Al Hamra, 50km competitors will take on a great combination of trail, track and road, climbing to a height of 2,400m to access panoramic views of Oman’s stunning Hajar mountain range. Reaching the trail’s highest point just beyond Qiyut, a euphoric run along the top of the plateau will reach the checkpoint at the summit of Jebel Hatt, from which the mountainous descent begins. With the course passing by the ancient town of Misfat Al Abriyeen, runners will journey through lush plantations, agricultural terraces and stunning wadis before heading towards the finish line.

Youth and Beginner Races

The 2020 edition of Oman by UTMB® will host three short distance races, designed to offer adults and youth runners the chance to embark on a fun introduction to trail running in the Sultanate’s magnificent Al Hajar mountain region.

Returning for a second year, these routes offer the perfect opportunity to get together with friends, go off-road and explore the Sultanate’s hidden treasures. Starting and finishing in Al Hamra, runners will take in the breathtaking views as they embark on an adventure through a region featuring lush plantations, agricultural terraces and stunning wadis, alongside traditional falaj systems. The distances on offer are 2km, 5km and 10km, with elevation gains ranging from 34+m to 223+m.